Road Trip- what should I look for before taking off

Hey guys, taking a road trip in my 09 With 92k miles on it. Getting the oil changed today (200 miles overdue), and checking the battery at the local autozone, other than that y'all got any ideas on any preventive measures I should take? Little nervous, never taken one of my vehicles on this trip. Usually take the ladies civic or rent something. Trying to be as tedious as possible. Thanks in advance!

 

It's only a 12 hour trip, just going from Florida to north ga and Birmingham, AL. Ya I'll have the 1911, flashlight, water, snacks... jack is in good condition. Spare tire is golden. Just trying to think of anything else. Truck hasn't given me any issues but never to early to worry I guess

 

I have a '13 with 60k miles, 3" lift, and 35/12.5/17's... I just drove it 700 miles one way to Virginia loaded down with shit, with my wife and our 10 month old, 14hrs one way down I95... truck did awesome. You won't brag about your gas mileage, but it is a really comfortable ride at least.

 

Spare serpentine belt.. jumper cables...hand tools jack work ok all rods for jack all fluids topped off spare has proper air filled flashlight grease up all grease zerks on drive shaft

 

Just make sure you check the front of your truck and if the grill says Toyota or has the Toyota symbol your good to go.

 

Might not hurt to check out all your lights and blinkers.

 

Check fluid levels, lights, tires, pack up on snacks and drinks, and enjoy!

 

This right here ^^^ If you're travelling major interstates, you'll be able to find help or at least have a cell phone signal to call someone. No need to over think it; you're not in the desert or mountains in the middle of nowhere. As long as the truck is in good operating condition, you're fine.

 

if you've not recently changed your transmission fluid - it wouldn't be a bad time - similarly, what does your coolant look like?

Road trips aren't that strenuous if things are cooled & lubricated.

 

That's a good point. I'll make sure everything's topped off and the coolant looks solid. Thanks

 

Have you changed yours before? I think it is not a roadside job unfortunately. It's not bad on a lift, but definitely one of the most difficult. However the spare would help keep you from getting ripped off somewhere.

I would definitely check this for major cracking or damage - these are some tough heavy duty belts that I have very rarely heard of breaking.

Spare tire, jack, jumpers, mobile air compressor and tire plug kit.

 

This^^^ and bring cash. It's amazing how easy it is to fix problems on the road with green dollar bills.

Seriously, just give it a once over (tires, fluids, wiper blades, etc.) and as long as you have kept up with maint. a 12 hour trip in a 90K truck is no big deal.

 

Get the oil changed since it's overdue, check fluids and tire pressure. Insert key, turn key, drive.

 

And crank the radio. Vacation is on!

 

Fix a flat in case of emergency.

 

I'm going on a 25 he road trip from MO to CA and I usually bring snacks water first aid kit lights knife blankets and the usual fluids topped off spare and tires and wiper blades check

 

Changed mine out to a Gates serpentine belt (K080948) for 5.7 V8 all ya need is 14mm socket 3/8 drive with a 18" breaker bar and a 0.24 inch drill bit use as a dowel pin took me 20 min change out had diagram of belt routing downloaded to phone

 

Love this advice!

 

Other helpful tool is the lug wrench i bought at local auto store one that extends out for better leverage one that comes with truck is crap

 

I've got something similar to these. I got it mostly in case I'm somewhere isolated and need a jump as opposed to a road trip. It also charges phones, laptops, etc. I haven't needed it for me (yet) but have helped a couple of people in parking lots. Works great, much easier than jumper cables.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/pocket-sized-jump-starters/

 

Thata pretty cool!

 

I like it. My son in law is a mechanic and he uses one almost daily. He did say that if you try to turn over a seized engine, the thing will overheat and swell up like a balloon.

 

Color me impressed.

 

To know which way is north if headed from FLA

 

Duck tape, coathanger, pair of vise-grips....that's all MaGuyver would need.

 

Me too...

 

Thanks for this. I just ordered off Amazon. $68 isn't bad even. Though I have roadside for 3 yrs it might just come in handym

 

And a pack of chewing gum. Lol